Disclaimer: I only own Katya, Cordelia, and the plot everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: okay, this is getting kinda depressing. I have a total of 6 reviews. SIX!!!! PLEASE REVIEW. Unless you think this story totally sucks and want to flame me. Then I'm totally satisfied with six. :)

Cordelia

Katya stopped in front of the small apothecary. Should I get him something from there? No, he's a potions professor, he probably has all the ingredients and potions he needs. Oh well, it's worth a shot. Shrugging her shoulders, Katya stepped into the dim shop. She was instantly greeted with the scent of various potion ingredients.

"May I help you?" a low voice croaked. Turning Katya saw an old hunched over witch approaching her.

"Yes, I'm looking for a gift for my friend. He's a potions professor."

"Ah, you must mean Professor Snape."

"Yes"

"Such a good man. Although you would never suspect considering . . ."

"Considering what?"

"Why his past of course! Especially since rumor has it he still hasn't given it up."

"I'm sorry," Katya said, "but I'm rather confused. What are you talking about?"

"Good heavens child! You mean you don't know? Well, I suppose if you don't know then it's no place of mine to be telling you. He's a very private man and it's no place of mine to be telling his secrets. If he hasn't told you I'm sure there's a reason. What was your name by the way?"
"Katya, Katya Poiston"

"Ah! Katya, yes I remember him mentioning a Katya. Well, he didn't exaggerate. You are as beautiful as he said you were."

"He thinks I'm beautiful?"

"Of course deary. It's only natural that a man should find his girlfriend attractive."

"Oh, oh, um, I'm not his girl . . . I mean, we're only friends. Good friends."

"I know, but who's to say you want it that way?"
"So he comes here often?" Katya asked in an attempt to change the subject.
"Who? Severus? Yes he's been coming to this apothecary even before he graduated from Hogwarts. He and I are old friends. I'm practically a second mother to the dear boy! It's a good thing too considering what an ignorant twit his real mother was. The woman didn't give a bat's wing about him. She even referred to him as a mistake. Right in front of his face!! Honestly! How do you not notice when your son is in trouble? Even if you don't love him?"
"Trouble?" Katya inquired.

"Oops! There goes my big mouth again, I think we'd better change the subject. What were you thinking of getting Severus?"
"I honestly have no idea," Katya replied a bit disappointed at the change of topic. Well at least now I know why he has such a hard time believing I actually care about him.

"Yes, he is a bit hard to shop for. Typical man! Well, let's think about this . . ." Sitting down in an ancient rocker the old woman set to musing.

"I've got it!" she cried a few minutes later.

"What?"

"I just got in an order of litledel legs yesterday. Severus is always wanting those but usually can't afford them because they are so rare. Here, I'll give them to you free of charge."

"Oh, um, you don't have to do that really. Besides, I was hoping to get him something a little more personal."

"Deary," the gnarled woman said as she began to pack the legs into a box, "The only other thing you can give that stubborn man, besides potion ingredients, is something that can't be bought."

Katya remained silent as she stared curiously at the old witch.

"I think we both know what I'm talking about," the woman winked, "Well, here you are."

"Thank you very much miss . . ."

"Cordelia Croker. Pleasure meeting you Katya." Cordelia winked again.

Katya quickly left the store eager to be alone. She wanted some time to think over the information she had just learned.

* * *

Severus walked down the main street of Hogsmeade. Occasionally he would stop to admire something or other and consider buying it for Katya. But this would remind him of his goal and he would soon set off once again to find the young witch. After searching what seemed to be every shop in Hogsmeade he decided to visit the apothecary, just in case. Besides, he hadn't spoken to Cordelia in a while.

"Cordelia?" he called.

"Severus! So nice to see you!" she croaked as she hobbled toward him, "You know, your girlfriend, Katya, was in her only a moment ago."

"She's not my girlfriend, Corry."

"And why not?"

"Because anyone can see I'm in love with you, " he laughed.

She swatted him on the arm, "Sevie, honestly, why isn't she? I saw the way she lit up when I mentioned your name. And I see the way you light up every time you talk about her. You two belong together."

"It's complicated Corry"

"Why? Because you're a deatheater?" she whispered.

Severus nodded, "I don't want her to get hurt."
"She's a big girl Sevvie!"
"It's not just that, if she were to ever find out what I've done, what I am. Why, she'd never want to see me again."
"I think you should let her decide that for herself. Tell her! Merlin knows you've put her through enough by keeping it from her. The dear girl obviously wants to be more than a friend to you. Why can't you just let people love you instead of pushing them away?"

"Because loving me is a mistake. I am a mistake. Everything beautiful and lovely loses it's light and beauty by my touch."

Cordelia slapped him. "Now listen to me Severus Snape," she said, "I don't want to hear another word like that come out of your mouth. That's your mother talking, not you. And I won't stand for it. You aren't a mistake and you don't take away the beauty of things. For example, Katya," Severus looked away. Cordelia grabbed him by shoulders and turned him towards her. "Sevvie, when Katya walked in here I thought there was no way that young woman could possibly be more beautiful. But when I mentioned your name she became ten times prettier. And that was only at the mention of your name! So don't you dare say such a thing ever again."
"I love you Corry," Severus whispered.

"Tut, of course you do. Who else is brave enough to talk sense into you?"

Severus smiled down at her.

"Now, tell me what are you going to do about Katya?"

His smile instantly turned to a scowl, "You can't force me into a relationship Corry."

"Yes I can, and I will"

Severus rolled his eyes. This conversation was making him uncomfortable, "I'll think about it."
Corry sighed, "Well, I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with that for now. Is there anything else you'll be needing?"
"Which way did Katya go?"
"I believe she returned to the castle."

"Thank you" He turned to walk away.

* * *

Katya had just gotten out her journal when a knock came to the door. Setting the notebook down she stood up. Preparing to send whoever it was away, she opened the door.

"Severus?"

"Hello darling"

Darling? "It's good to see you out of that hospital bed," she replied, then completely forgetting about her original plan, she invited him in.

"Nice place," he said glancing around the room. He took in the blue carpet, cream walls, and cream couches. It was like a breath of fresh air; like Katya.

"Thank you, although I suppose anything would be better than that dark hole you live in."

"How did you know?" he teased.

"I have my ways"

"You've been spying on me haven't you?" he mocked.

Katya feigned discomfort, "Um, no, I mean, why would I possibly . . . oh for the love of Merlin! You found me out! Yes, I've been spying on you."

Severus grinned, "Well I'm flattered"

Katya looked into his dark eyes and smiled back. Her heart began to beat faster and her breathing became shallow. Realizing that she had been staring she blushed and quickly said, "Well, is there another purpose to this visit. Besides accusing me of spying?"

"No, I just thought I'd visit my good pal, Katya. Is there something wrong with that?"

Good pal. She didn't like the sound of those words in the same sentence as her name. Especially when the sentence came out of his mouth.

"No, there's nothing wrong with my good pal Severus coming to visit me," she said with a hint of disdain.

"What's wrong Kat?"

"Nothing, nothing at all. I'm perfectly content!" she laughed unconvincingly.

"Something's wrong," he stated, "What is it?"

"Why should I tell you? Merlin knows you keep enough things from me."

Severus gave an impatient sigh, "Please, let's not go into that again. I have my reasons for not telling you."

"Very well, but I think it only fair that if you can keep secrets than I should be entitled to mine," she said entering the kitchen.

Severus sat down. "I suppose it's only fair," he said glancing down. He noticed her open journal next to him. Unable (or unwilling depending how you look at it)to stop himself he reached for it. The pages turned as he picked it up.

"Would you care for some lemonade?" she called from the kitchen.

"No thank you," he said and then turned back to the notebook in his hands. It had opened to the entry from the night of the Diggorys' party. Skimming the contents he reached the end and let out a low gasp. I think I'm falling in love with him, he read. A thousand thoughts began to tumble through his head immediately. Did he feel the same way? Did he want her to love him? Should he do something about it? Should he begin a relationship with her? YES his heart screamed in answer to every question. Hearing footsteps he was pulled out of his reverie. Quickly placing the journal back on the couch he turned to face her.

"I know you said you didn't want any but it's my own special recipe. At the risk of sounding conceded I'd have to say it's actually quite good. Besides . . . Severus, why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm sorry darling, I'm just so tired I didn't realize I was staring."

There was that darling again! This man was so confusing. First she was darling then she was a good pal and now she was darling again!!

Severus felt a little guilty about lying. Well what else was I supposed to say? "Sorry to stare but I was reading your journal and just discovered that you love me . . ."

"Do want to leave?"

"No, no, is that for me?" he pointed at the extra glass in her hand. His throat was suddenly feeling very dry.

"Yes, here"

"Thank you," he gulped down the liquid trying to gather himself together.

"Good?" she asked.

"Very," he replied setting the glass on the table with one hand while wiping his mouth with the other.

"I'm surprised you were able to taste it you gulped it down so quickly."

Severus said nothing. Katya sighed and looked heavenward as she plopped down next to him. She was so close. Suddenly she began to wiggle as she felt something underneath her. Pulling out her journal she blushed and put it next to her. She looked back at Severus to find him still staring.

"What? Do I have something between my teeth?" she asked.

"No, you look perfect," he said in a whisper, "Except for that one hair . ." He pushed back a strand of auburn hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. Katya's breath caught. "There," he smiled gently, "now I can see your face." They sat like that for a few moments. Each looking into the other's eyes with goofy grins on their faces. Katya was the first one to return to reality.

"You'd better go" she said looking away.

"Yes, it is getting rather late isn't it."

"Yes," she hastily nodded, "We both best be getting to bed. We have classes to teach in the morning." She stood up and walked him to the door.

"Good night," she said opening the door.

"Good night," he returned kissing her on the cheek, "Pleasant dreams."

Katya stood in her doorway watching his retreating back. Slowly one of her slender hands covered the spot where his lips had touched. Though it wasn't a full leap, she had a feeling their relationship had just taken a big step from what it had been.

A/N: Finally, another chapter. And, hopefully, much better than the last one. Please review!!!!